New Brunswick Art Bank Acquisitions Program
GUIDELINES
The Acquisitions Program of the New Brunswick Art Bank acquires contemporary visual art by artists
from New Brunswick for display in provincial government offices. A jury selects artwork to be purchased
based on the acquisitions budget.
Program Objectives
The primary objectives of the Acquisitions Program are to:
 Promote excellence through the acquisition of works of art. The Art Bank has a “working
collection” with artwork acquired for display in government buildings.
 Develop a collection of contemporary works of art by living New Brunswick artists.
 Provide support and encouragement for New Brunswick visual artists living and working in this
province. Artists may be in the initial stages of their professional careers, in mid-career, or artists
with long-standing reputations.
 Make the collection accessible to the public and to public employees through its display in
government buildings.
 Make the collection accessible for educational purposes.
Process
The Acquisitions Program acquires works of art through purchase, donation, gift, or bequest. A jury of
artists and art professionals makes the selection of artwork for purchase; the jury is comprised of new
members each acquisition year. Following the selection process, new acquisitions may be exhibited
throughout the province and presented as a digital compilation for the public school system.
Selection Criteria
The major criterion in the acquisition of artwork is excellence in the visual arts. New acquisitions should
reflect the creativity, expertise and experience of New Brunswick artists. As the Art Bank is a “working
collection” with artwork on display at all times, new acquisitions must meet the following criteria:
1. Condition: New acquisitions should reflect excellence and be of the highest quality. Artwork
should be ready for display (ie. framed using acid-free and UV materials, hanging devices, etc., as
appropriate). Detailed information is required from the artist for artwork with special
presentation or display requirements.
2. Size: Acquisitions should be of a size that can be accommodated in reception areas, offices, and
boardrooms of government buildings.
3. Weight: Artwork may be moved frequently; therefore, weight cannot exceed what two people
can manage.
4. Art forms and art media: Eligible artwork is art forms and art media that are manageable and
suitable for a “working collection”. Artwork must be available for purchase.
Note: NB. Exhibition rights, copyright etc., will be negotiated following selection of the artwork to be
purchased.
Selection Procedures
1. Applications are reviewed for eligibility. Applications are acknowledged (email/mail).
2. The jury views eligible applications.
3. From the images and accompanying material, the jury selects artists who are invited to submit
original artwork for review.
4. The jury views original artwork, and makes the final selection for purchase.
5. Artwork not selected is returned to artists.
Eligibility Criteria
 Visual artists who are Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who have resided in New Brunswick for
12 consecutive months prior to the application deadline and who pay personal income taxes in New
Brunswick are eligible. Dealers may submit applications for artists who meet the eligibility criteria.
 Artwork must have been produced within the 24 months prior to the application deadline.
 Artwork must be available for purchase.
Required documentation
 A signed application form. Artwork submitted by dealers should confirm the artist’s permission (ie.
email message from the artist, etc.).
 Clearly labeled full-colour digital images. No photographs please (see information below).
 A minimum of three (3) artworks and a maximum of ten (10) artworks are eligible for submission.
 Information about the media and the process used in creating the artwork.
 Artist’s statement about the artwork.
 Presentation and display requirements, if appropriate.
Instructions for the presentation of digital images:
 Images are to be submitted on a CD-ROM or USB key (no images will be accepted by email); please
ensure each CD-ROM or USB key is marked with the artist’s name.
 Images should be saved directly on the CD-Rom or USB Key, in a PC-compatible format, preferably
JPEG or TIF, at a resolution of 72 dpi with maximum dimensions, in pixels, of 1024(w) x 768(h); 500 KB
(0.5 MB) maximum.
Note for photographers and print-makers: If the artwork submitted is part of a series, a minimum of four
(4) works per series is eligible. Only two (2) series are eligible. Your application should include
information about the theme or subject matter and the process used in creating the series.
General Notes
 The price of artwork will be required after it is selected for viewing by the jury, only.
 Submissions of less than three (3) artworks will not be accepted.
 Students are not eligible for this program. Artwork created while the artist was a full-time student is
not eligible.
 The New Brunswick Art Bank retains the right to have minor repairs, conservation, framing, etc. done
by specialists on artworks it acquires. In cases where there are presentation or display requirements,
detailed information is required.
 New acquisitions will be digitally photographed for collection management.
 If artworks are framed, artists are encouraged to use UV plexiglass glazing for works on paper and
photographs, etc., and to have works framed with acid-free materials. If artworks are unframed,
artists are encouraged to include the cost of framing in the price.
Contact Information
New Brunswick Art Bank
Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture
P.O. Box 6000
Place 2000, 250 King Street
Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (506) 444-5303